If there is one person who can fix Paula Deen's mess it's Olivia Pope. Since Pope is a fictional character on the hit ABC show "Scandal," the celebrity chef went with the next best thing. According to the Huffington Post, Deen has hired Judy Smith, a crisis manager and the inspiration behind "Scandal" and Olivia Pope to handle her controversy involving the N-word.
This has been the third week the former "Food Network" star has been in the headlines for her racial slur. The new PR switch comes after Deen lost a slew of endorsements, released two apology videos and canceled an appearance on the "Today" show. According to Essence magazine, Smith was the one who probably urged Deen to reschedule her appearance on the "Today" show where she gave a heartfelt apology and burst into tears as she defended herself.
The apology seems to have helped a bit. After getting dropped by Food Network, Walmart and Smithfield Foods, Tasty Blend Foods said they were pleased with the interview, Eurweb reports.
"Tasty Blend Foods was very pleased with the Paula Deen interview given this morning on the 'Today' show," Tasty Blend said in a statement on Wednesday. "We appreciate her commitment and how she stepped up and apologized to her viewers, fans and the nation. We personally endorse Paula Deen and what she stands for. We are very saddened that she is being judged by her past, everyone has made a mistake sometime in their lives. We look forward to our continued partnership with her."
Larry Szrama, president of Landies Candies, which carries some of Deen's products, also issued a statement of support following the interview.
"Your interview this morning reaffirms who you really are and what you believe," Szrama wrote. "We count it a privilege to be your friend and business partner and look forward to sweet success in the future."
An associate of Smith's told the Huffington Post that the firm, Smith and Company, did take Deen on as a client but wouldn't discuss any details. In the past, Smith has worked with Michael Vick, Wesley Snipes, Kobe Bryant, Monica Lewinsky and Jill Kelley, the mistress of General David Petraeus, the former CIA director, Eurweb reports.
In an interview last year with Wanshingtonian magazine, Smith said the one thing she has learned about human nature from handling so many scandals is that she likes "to believe in the good in people. But we're all going to screw up from time to time. It just happens. It really is our best growth occurs. A lot of times, the flip side of a crisis can be an opportunity," she said.
Even though Smith obviously has hope in Deen since she decided to take her on as a client, other crisis manager's aren't so sure Deen's career will be able to handle all the negative attention.
"No one is going to buy what she says now, even if it's a perfectly crafted message," Dan Hill of Ervin/Hill Strategy told the Washington Post. "Everyone thinks you should respond immediately, but with something like this, usually time serves them well."
© 2025 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
